3 Units, (UC: CSU)
This course introduces the student to the field of Oceanography. Major topics to be studied include the formation and evolution of the sea floor, islands and coastlines, the chemical and physical properties of sea water, motions of the sea (waves, tides and currents) and marine life. Special reference will be made to Southern California and the problems of human uses of the sea.
Each video combines on-location footage with computer graphics in a way that is both engaging and informative. Individual case studies focus on polar and tropical extremes, an ongoing coastal project, and life at a major research institution. Learners will also hear from leading scientists and academicians whose work has helped define the field of oceanography.